Bridge construction.



PATENTED OUT. 1, 1907.

J. M. cARRoLLI BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION. APPLIOATION'II-LED MAY 10, 1907.

'6 UVI/ENTOR WITNESSES:

A TTORNE Y5 PATENTED 0017.1, 1907.

J. M. CARROLL.

' BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION.

APPLIOATION FILED my 10. 1907. I

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UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

JOHN MORTON CARROLL, OF WEATHERFORD, TEXAS.

BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 1, 1907.

Application filed May 10,1907. Serial No. 372,927.

provide an improved construction of bridge in which.

' single chords may be used in each panel, instead of the twin or double chords usually employed, thus materially reducing the expense and the weight of the structure.

A iurther object of the invention is to provide a novel tain novel features of construction and arrangementof parts, hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportions, size and minor details of the structure may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages oi the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a bridge constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view of one of the panels drawn to an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view through one of the panels. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of one of the socket members, detached. Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the connections between the lower chords and the tie members.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to inclicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures oi the drawings.

The truss shown in Fig. 1 is composed of a number of panels which are similar in construction with the exception of the end panels, wherein unnecessary bracing has been omitted. Each of the panels includes an upper chord 10 and a lower chord 11, the upper chord being subjected to compression strain, while the lower chord is subjected to tensional strain.

In all truss bridges as at present constructed, it is usual to employ two lower chord bars, and in every case the ends of adjacent chords are connected together by these pivot bolts, so that the chords extend in a continuous series from pier to pier.

In carrying out the invention, single chord bars are used, and these are connected together by plates 15 which are pivoted between the depending cars 16 oi metal socket members 17 arranged intermediate the ends of adjacent chords. Each oi the socket members 17 is further provided with a centrally disposed open:

ing iorming a pocket ior the reception oi the lower end of a post 18 which preferably is formed of metallic tubing, and the upper end of this post is seated in a recess iormed in the lower portion oi an upper casting 20 that is provided with oppositely disposed side pockets 21 ior 'the reception oi the ends 01' the upper chords 10, these latter being, also, in the form of tubes, or in some cases of structural iron. The two members 17 and 20 are firmly connected together and the tubular posts 18 are confined in place by vertical bolts 23 that extend centrally through the posts and through openings in both castings, and are provided with clamping nuts at both their upper and lower ends. The connecting plates 15 are pivoted on the ends oi transverse truss or brace bolts 24 arranged under the floor beam, small struts 39 being interposed between the central portion of the tie rod or brace bolt and the floor beam chords 11 are pivoted to said plates by pins 25 which pins also receive the lower ends of diagonally arranged struts 26 which preierably are formed of tubes, and the upper ends of these struts are received in pockets formed in seat plates 27 that are rigidly secured to the lower surface of the upper chord 10. Between each two panel points of each of the upper chords 10 are two seat plates, and that seat plate which is connected to the casting 15 of the nearest end of the panel is connected to the remote end of the same panel by a tension bar 29 that is pivoted to the seat member and is, also, connected to the pivot pin 25, the inclined tension bars crossing each other, as shown. Each of the socket members 17 is iurther provided with an opening 30 for the passage oi a floor beam 31 which is preferably tubular in form, the opposite ends of the floor beam extending for some distance beyond the outer iaces oi the side panels oi the truss, and said tubular floor beam is held in place by the vertical bolts 23 which extend through openings formed therein. The panel members are connected to the extended 'ends of the floor beams by inclined braces 35, the upper ends of which are secured in place by the bolts 23, while the lower ends of said braces are connected to the end portions of the floor beams by bolts 36.

A number of truss sections made in accordance with the invention are employed in the construction of a suspension bridge, in which the suspension cables 40 are supported and anchored in any suitable manner, and the individual trusses are connected to the cable or cables by hanger rods 41 which are attached at their lower ends to the members 16 and incline outward from the center of the truss, the end hangers of adjacent truss sections crossing each other as indicated in Fig. 1. The

I claim 1. In bridge construction, a plurality of trussed panels, each including a single lower chord, connecting plates to which the chords of adjacent panels are pivoted, upper and lower socket members, vertical posts or standards connecting the same, and pivotal connections between the lower socket members and the connecting plates.

2. In bridge construction, a trussed panel including a single lower chord, and a single upper chord, upper and lower socket members, the upper socket members being recessed for the reception of the ends of the upper chord, and the lower socket member having depending cars. a connecting plate pivoted between said cars, means for pivotally connecting the opposite ends of said plates to the lower chords of adjacent panels, and vertically disposed posts or standards connecting the upper and lower socket members.

3. In bridge construction, a plurality of trusscd panels, each including a single lower chord and a single upper chord, upper and lower socket members at the adjacent ends of the panels, the upper members being provided with sockets for the reception of the upper chord, vertical posts or standards connecting the upper and lower socket members, the lower socket members having transversely arranged openings, floor beams extending through said openings, tie bolts extending through the lower socket; members, the floor beams and the standards and connecting plates pivotally connected to the lower socket members and to the lower chords.

-:l. In bridge construction, a plurality of connected panels, each including an upper and a lower chord, upper and lower socket members provided with vertically alined sockets, the upper members ,being further provided with horizontally alined sockets, the latter being arranged to receive the upper chord, hollow posts or standards fitting in the vertically alincd sockets, the lower socket 'members being provided with transverse openings, tloor beams extending through the openings, cars depending from the lower socket members, connecting plates pivoted between said ears, pivot pins connecting said plates to the lower chords. and tension and compression members pivoted at one end on the pins and connected at the opposite end to the upper chords.

in bridge construction, a pair of suspension cables, a plurality of independent truss members, hanger rods connecting the truss members to the suspension cables. the hanger rods being inclined outward from the vertical center 01' the truss and the hanger rods at: the ends of adjacent trusses crossing each other, and tie rods extending between adjacent trusses, substantially as specified.

In testimony that 1 claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto ailixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN MORTON CARROLL Witnesses II. L. Mosi-mur, J. E. nims'rnoxo. 

